New Jersey State Sen. Barbara Buono, the Democrat challenging Gov. Christopher Christie for
reelection, is making no progress and trails the popular Republican 64 - 30 percent, according to
a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters released today.

This is the first survey of likely voters by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University in the general election campaign and can not be compared to earlier surveys of
registered voters.

Only 5 percent of likely voters are undecided and another 8 percent who name a
candidate say there is a "good chance" they will change their mind in the next six weeks.

"There's no silver lining for State Sen. Barbara Buono in the cloudy outlook for her
campaign," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Even a third of Democrats prefer Gov. Christopher Christie. And, although the Buono
campaign and Buono's political background are big on women's issues, even women favor
Christie. So do men. There's not even a very big gender gap.

"But the good news for the Gov comes to a screeching halt at the tip of his coattails. If
he wants to run for president, a compliant State Legislature in Trenton would help. But 15
percent of New Jersey voters say Christie's support would make them less likely to vote for a
legislative candidate and 61 percent say it would make no difference in their vote.

Buono gets a negative 23 - 36 percent favorability, with 40 percent who don't know
enough about her to form an opinion.

Christie also leads on enthusiasm, as 57 percent of his supporters are "very enthusiastic,"
with 33 percent "somewhat enthusiastic. Only 35 percent of Buono supports are "very
enthusiastic," with 47 percent "somewhat enthusiastic."

The governor would do a better job than the challenger controlling property taxes, voters
say 62 - 19 percent. Democrats are divided as 38 percent pick Buono and 35 percent name
Christie.

"A lot of New Jersey voters still don't know Sen. Barbara Buono," Carroll said. "That
could be a good thing because among those who know her, more don't like her.

"Christie dominates the challenger 3-1 or more on two important issues, property taxes
and the economy, getting a respectable share of Democratic support as well."

The Republican governor should run for president in 2016, 43 percent of voters say,
while 41 percent say he should not run. But 76 percent say the possibility that Christie will run
does not affect their vote for governor this year.

If Christie does run for president in 2016, it will be good for New Jersey, voters say 53 -
28 percent.

"New Jerseyans are mixed about sending their popular governor on the campaign trail in
2016, but it won't stop them from voting for him in 2013," Carroll said.

From September 19 - 22, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,249 New Jersey likely voters
in the November 5 general election, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. Live
interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia,
Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

2. If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Barbara Buono the Democrat and Chris Christie the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Buono or Christie? (Table includes leaners) (* Subgroup size less than 75, additional caution should be taken when interpreting findings of this group because of the large margin of error)

2a. (If candidate chosen q2) Will you definitely vote for (Candidate of choice), or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for (Candidate not chosen)? IF CHANGE MIND: Would you say there's a good chance you'll change your mind, or would you say it's pretty unlikely?

3. Is your opinion of Chris Christie favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? (* Subgroup size less than 75, additional caution should be taken when interpreting findings of this group because of the large margin of error)

4. Is your opinion of Barbara Buono favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? (* Subgroup size less than 75, additional caution should be taken when interpreting findings of this group because of the large margin of error)

11. Does the possibility that Chris Christie will run for President in 2016 make you more likely to vote for Christie for Governor, less likely to vote for Christie for Governor, or doesn't it make a difference?